Transparent tote

ABSTRACT

A tote having a body defining an interior open space made at least in part from a substantially transparent medium. The body includes a single panel that defines a front face, a back face and a floor that underlies the faces. A pair of side sub-panels lies between edges of the front and side subpanels and floor, such that the interior open space is visible through the tote.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One aspect of this disclosure relates to transparent bags that contain items which may readily be inspected by for example security personnel without the person carrying the bag having to disgorge its contents.

BACKGROUND

To address the needs for heightened security at for example airports, concerts or sporting events, security guards often are stationed at strategic locations. Such guards are expected to enhance safety concerns by conducting “bag checks”. Often this entails visual or x-ray inspection of any totes or bags carried by those who attend the event. Though such procedures tend to offer a safer environment, one drawback is that they take time. Lines and wait times may become longer before the participant is allowed to enter the venue, often when the fan is most eager to gain admission.

To facilitate participant entry, event security policy makers have implemented limits on the contents, type and size of totes that may be admitted into the arena. Conformance with such practices may lead to frustration and concerns about privacy. One result is that fan attendance may decline.

SUMMARY

One feature of the tote described herein is that is generally transparent. This facilitates the carrier and observer determining what is contained therein, and relatedly whether the contents create a security threat or justify further scrutiny without burdensome and time-consuming inspection processes.

One embodiment includes a hand-carried or shoulder-carried tote or bag that is made at least in part of a transparent material such as plastic, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, mesh or other material that allows a substantially unimpeded view of items being transported therein. Preferably, the tote has front and back sides that are connected by transparent end walls and a transparent floor. Generally the top of the bag is open to allow unrestricted loading and unloading of items placed therein.

The bag can be carried by hand or its handles or straps draped across a shoulder. The straps preferably are of a web-like material with edges that are flattened where the straps are affixed to the front and back sides. Between those locations the edges are folded so they meet, thereby forming a rounded portion of the straps where the straps are gripped by hand or lie across the shoulder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front quartering perspective view of an embodiment of a substantially transparent tote or bag;

FIG. 2 is a front side elevational view of the transparent tote of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back side elevational view of the transparent tote of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are left and right side elevational views of the transparent tote of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are top and bottom elevational views of the transparent tote of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

In one embodiment, there is provided a transparent or substantially transparent assembly of front 12 and back 14 faces that are joined by first and second end walls 18, 20 and a floor 22. In FIG. 1, the tote is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. It has a front side 12 that is supported by a flattened portion 28 of a strap or handle 16 that is supported by means for affixation 17, such as stitching, rivets, or an adhesive. A rear face 14 opposes the front face 12. Thus the bag's contents can readily be inspected from a front or rear vantage point, or from below.

Likewise, the end walls 18, 20 are also transparent, so the bag's contents can also be viewed from a lateral vantage point.

In one embodiment, a single uninterrupted continuous strap 16 is provided with first 32 and second 34 terminal ends that are adjoined (FIG. 7), preferably below the base 22. From the first end 32, the strap 16 runs laterally across the base 22 and defines a flat portion 28 (FIG. 1) after transitioning upwardly across one side of the rear face 14. The strap 16 then defines a rounded portion 30 in which the edges of the strap 16 are folded together. In a relaxed state, the rounded portion 30 portion follows an arcuate path before engaging the other side of the rear face 14. Continuing its run, the strap 16 then traverses the base 22 before extending upwardly across the other side of the front face 12. From the upper edge 34 (FIG. 2) the strap again defines a flat portion 28 and another rounded portion 30. Then the remaining length of the strap 16 extends downwardly across a side of the front face 12 and the base 22 before terminating in end 34 (FIG. 7).

A rear handle portion 42 (FIG. 1) is thereby defined, resembling the front handle 40.

Preferably, the handle portions 40, 42 are sized so that a forearm of the human carrier can readily be inserted there through and the handles 40, 42 can lay across the shoulder or across the torso if desired.

As described, preferably the single strap 16 defines two handle portions 40, 42—one for the front 12 and one for the rear 14 of the bag 10. Each handle portion 40, 42 has opposite ends that are connected to an upper edge 34 of the front 12 or rear sides 14 of the bag 10 (FIG. 2) for example, with means for securement such as stitches, rivets or an adhesive or other conventional means. Preferably the strap 16 is also affixed to the floor 22 as well as the front and rear faces 12, 14 by the means for securement.

In one embodiment, the transparent tote has a front side 12, a rear side 14, two ends 18, 20, a floor 22 and an open upper top 24. Preferably, the front 12, rear 14 and floor 22 sub-panels are formed from a single clear panel to avoid unnecessary seams or ridges or welds. Thus, the specific construction of the tote body is preferably in practice such that the bottom 22 and two sides 12, 14 are formed from one continuous strip of a transparent medium. This construction avoids the need for or inherent weakness associated with intermediate seams.

If desired, the tote may be made from a clear or substantially clear plastic or any substantially transparent mesh such that the contents of the tote may be viewed from any vantage point.

As seen in FIG. 2 the flat portion 28 of one or more straps 16 may be provided with an area to which may be attached a patch of source-indicating or other distinctive indicia. The patch may be made of complementary hook and loop material mounted to either the patch or the strap. The patch provides an area to embroider or print or otherwise affix an event or sponsor logo or other indicia that may indicate the source or origin of the tote.

In an alternate embodiment, a mesh wall 30 (FIG. 2) may be provided on either or both of the front 12 or rear 14 faces so that a pocket 30 is formed therebetween. If desired the pocket 30 may be defined in part by a ribbon-like border 50, 52 for strength or aesthetics.

Optionally a securement device 26 for keys and the like (FIGS. 1, 4 & 5) may be tethered to the inside of the bag below the upper edge 34 at a flat portion 28 of the strap 16.

To secure the bag's contents a closure device (not shown), for example a pair of hidden magnets may underlie the upper edge 34 so that opposing upper edges of the front 18 and rear 14 faces may be brought together.

With primary reference to FIGS. 1, 4 & 5, a U-shaped seam is defined by a weldment at the edges of the front 12, rear 14 and side subpanels 18, 20.

It will be appreciated that the upper edge 34 may be formed by a decorative ribbon for strength and appearance.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been put forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention as described may be embodied in for instance duffel bags, backpacks, and the like, and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tote having a body defining an interior open space made at least in part from a substantially transparent medium, the body including a single panel that defines a front face, a back face and a floor that underlies the faces; and a pair of side sub-panels that lie between edges of the front and side subpanels and floor, such that the interior open space is visible through the tote.
 2. A tote as defined in claim 1 further including a single strap that defines a pair of handles.
 3. A tote as defined in claim 2 further including identifying indicia affixed to a part of the strap.
 4. A tote as defined in claim 3 further including securement means affixed to the back face inside the bag for retaining keys and tags.
 5. A tote as defined in claim 1 further including a border that defines an upper part of the side sub-panels and the front and rear subpanels.
 6. A tote as defined in claim 5 wherein the strap defines a pair of handles that extend from the border.
 7. A tote as defined in claim 6 wherein the handles include a flattened portion proximate the border and a rounded portion extending between the flattened portions.
 8. A tote as defined in claim 1 further including securement means that affix the strap to the front and rear subpanels and the floor.
 9. A tote as defined in claim 1 wherein the single strap has two terminal ends that underlie the floor.
 10. A tote as defined in claim 9 wherein the terminal ends are formed by folded back edges that form a seam with stitching there between.
 11. A tote as defined in claim 1 further comprising an external pocket provided on the front or rear or both faces, the pocket being rimmed by a ribbon-like material that extends between edges of the associated strap.
 12. A tote as defined in claim 1 wherein the tote is a hand tote.
 13. A tote as defined in claim 1 wherein the tote is a shoulder tote.
 14. A bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said tote is a duffel bag.
 15. A tote comprising: a substantially rectangular body of a transparent plastic material with a front face, a rear face and a bottom sub-panel, the front and rear faces being joined to side edges; closure means between the tops of the front and rear faces for closing the body; a pair of flexible straps, adapted to be grasped by the hand or received over the shoulder or head and one arm of the wearer, the straps being and adapted to lay flat against the body of the wearer. 